President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigeria’s academic community to play a more active role in addressing the country’s pressing challenges, urging researchers and scholars to develop practical solutions to insecurity, food scarcity and other national development issues.
Speaking at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) convocation ceremony, the President emphasized that universities should serve not only as centres of learning but also as engines of innovation, research and policy development capable of transforming society.
Tinubu said Nigeria’s higher education institutions possess the intellectual capacity to generate evidence-based solutions to complex national problems, stressing that collaboration between government, academia and the private sector is essential for sustainable development.
He urged universities to intensify research in areas such as agriculture, security, science, technology, healthcare and entrepreneurship, noting that the country’s future depends significantly on knowledge-driven development.
Addressing the challenge of food insecurity, the President called on researchers to develop innovative farming techniques, improve agricultural productivity and promote technologies that can strengthen food production and enhance national food security.
On insecurity, Tinubu appealed to scholars to contribute ideas that support peacebuilding, conflict prevention, intelligence gathering and technological innovations capable of improving Nigeria’s security architecture.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to strengthening the education sector through policies aimed at improving infrastructure, expanding access to quality education and supporting research and innovation.
The President also encouraged graduates to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during their studies to solving societal problems, emphasizing that education carries both personal and national responsibilities.
University leaders and education stakeholders have consistently advocated stronger partnerships between government, universities and industry to ensure that academic research translates into practical solutions for economic growth and social development.
Education experts note that Nigerian universities have produced significant research across agriculture, medicine, engineering and technology but argue that greater investment, commercialization of research and stronger institutional support are needed to maximize their impact.
Observers say Tinubu’s remarks reflect the growing expectation that higher education institutions should contribute directly to national development by generating innovative ideas, supporting policymaking and producing graduates equipped to address real-world challenges.
The President concluded by reaffirming the importance of education as a catalyst for national progress, urging the academic community to remain committed to excellence, innovation and service to humanity in building a more secure, prosperous and food-sufficient Nigeria.
